Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine is provided that includes a cabinet and a tub disposed in the cabinet and configured to receive washing water. The washing machine includes a pump filter configured to filter foreign substances from the washing water received from the tub, a pump filter housing configured to receive the pump filter, a housing cover configured to open and close the pump filter housing, and at least one coupling portion extending from the housing cover and at least a portion of the at least one coupling portion being coupled to the pump filter housing. The washing machine further includes rails disposed on the pump filter housing, the rails being configured to receive the at least one coupling portion, and the rails being configured to allow movement of the at least one coupling portion as a function of whether the housing cover is in an open state or a closed state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub disposed in the cabinet and configured to receive washing water;   a pump filter configured to filter foreign substances from the washing water received from the tub;   a pump filter housing configured to receive the pump filter;   a housing cover configured to open and close the pump filter housing;   at least one coupling portion extending from the housing cover and at least a portion of the at least one coupling portion being coupled to the pump filter housing; and   rails disposed on the pump filter housing, the rails being configured to receive the at least one coupling portion, and the rails being configured to allow movement of the at least one coupling portion as a function of whether the housing cover is in an open state or a closed state.   
     
     
         2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling portion comprises:
 a body portion extending from the housing cover; and   a head portion extending from the body portion.   
     
     
         3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the head portion is inserted into the rails and the head portion is movable as a function of whether the housing cover is in the open state or the closed state. 
     
     
         4 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the body portion comprises a curved surface. 
     
     
         5 . The washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein the body portion comprises as a curved surface that protrudes upwards. 
     
     
         6 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least one escape prevention jaw is disposed on the pump filter housing and prevents the at least one coupling portion from disconnecting from the pump filter housing. 
     
     
         7 . The washing machine of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one escape prevention jaws are disposed on a front side of the pump filter housing and surround at least a portion of a top surface of the body portion of the at least one coupling portion. 
     
     
         8 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein at least one guide portion is disposed on a rear side of the pump filter housing and supports the at least one coupling portion. 
     
     
         9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one guide portion is disposed close to the rails and supports the body portion of the at least one coupling portion. 
     
     
         10 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one guide portion is configured to correspond to a shape of the body portion of the at least one coupling portion. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the pump filter housing is injection-molded integrally with the cabinet. 
     
     
         12 . A washing machine comprising:
 a cabinet;   a tub disposed in the cabinet and configured to receive washing water;   a pump filter configured to filter foreign substances from washing water received from the tub;   a pump filter housing configured to receive the pump filter; and   a housing cover movable to a first state in which the pump filter housing is closed and movable to a second state in which the pump filter housing is open, the housing cover comprising coupling portions coupled to the pump filter housing,   wherein the housing cover is coupled to the pump filter housing so that when the pump filter housing is in the first state the coupling portions are disposed at a lower side of the pump filter housing, and so that when the pump filter housing is in the second state, the coupling portions are disposed at an upper side of the pump filter housing.   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein each of the coupling portions comprises:
 a body portion extending from the housing cover; and   a head portion extending from the body portion and coupled to the pump filter housing, and   wherein the head portion is coupled to the pump filter housing when the pump filter housing is in the first state and when the pump filter housing is in the second state.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein each of the coupling portions is coupled to rails comprising slits formed on the pump filter housing. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein the head portion is disposed at a first location along the rails when the pump filter housing is in the first state and wherein the head portion is disposed at a second location along the rails when the pump filter housing is in the second state. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein the body portion comprises a curved surface that protrudes upwards. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine of  claim 13 , wherein at least one guide portion is disposed close to the rails of the pump filter housing and supports the body portion. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one guide portion comprises a shape corresponding to a shape of the body portion. 
     
     
         19 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein at least one escape prevention jaw is disposed on the pump filter housing and prevents the coupling portions from disconnecting from the pump filter housing. 
     
     
         20 . The washing machine of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling portions are disposed at both sides of the housing cover.